Inflatable Portable Lumbar Pillow

ABSTRACT

An inflatable portable lumbar pillow is an apparatus that includes a plurality of inflatable cushions connected serially via a plurality of intermediate webs, a first end strap opposite to a second end strap that retains a strap fastener, and a strap fastener that utilizes a first interlocking portion and a second interlocking portion to wrap around a wearer&#39;s waist. The first end strap is connected adjacent to the plurality of inflatable cushions. The second end strap is connected adjacent to the plurality of inflatable cushions, opposite the first end strap. The first interlocking portion connects onto the first end strap, offset from the plurality of inflatable cushions, and the second interlocking portion connects onto the second end strap, offset from the plurality of inflatable cushions, thereby securing the first end strap to the second end strap.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/333,622 filed on May 9, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to inflatable portable lumbarpillow for providing support and comfort to the wearer's lower back andrelieving back pain caused by injuries. In particular, the presentinvention comprises a plurality of inflatable cushions selectivelyfastened around the wearer's lower lumbar region via a strap fastenerusing a first interlocking portion and a second interlocking portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pain or discomfort in the lower back can be one of the most debilitatingphysical challenges faced by an individual. Lower back pain may not beas bothersome throughout the day while moving around, however this isnot the case when sleeping. Lower back pain may be alleviated if themattress is the perfect firmness. Finding the perfect mattress is notthe easiest task due to the cost. When traveling, the choice of the typeof mattress is not an option for travelers. The present inventionassists specifically with lower back discomfort while sleeping and maybe carried or worn throughout the day if need be.

The present invention focuses on lower back discomfort while sleeping.The present invention is an inflatable portable roll-up lumbar pillow.The present invention comprises a plurality of inflatable cushions, aplurality of intermediate webs, a strap fastener, a first end strap, anda second end strap. The plurality of inflatable cushions may comprise acentral lumbar cushion, a right lumbar cushion, and a left lumbarcushion. Each of the plurality of inflatable cushions may be inflated tothe wearer's comfort. The first and second end strap connect via a firstand second interlocking portions to secure the inflatable portablelumbar pillow around the wearer's waist. With the pillow secured aroundthe waist while sleeping, the lumbar area is supported while sleeping onthe back. If sleeping on the side, the right and left lumbar cushionsupport as well and assist in keeping the wearer's spine at the correctelevation. The present invention may comprise a variety of lengths toaccommodate a variety of individuals experiencing back pain. The presentinvention may also be used while lying on the couch and traveling longdistances in a car or on a plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top planform view thereof.

FIG. 4 is back perspective view of the present invention in the deflatedconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the present invention in theoperative configuration.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the present invention with theremovable sleeve engaged.

FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of the present invention in thestorage configuration.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the carrying case.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the present invention in thestorage configuration inserted into the carrying case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1, the present invention is an inflatable portablelumbar pillow that is worn around a wearer's waist in order to reducediscomfort and relief pain from the wearer's back. In addition, thepresent invention can be used when the wearer suffers a lower-backinjury or when the wearer has continuous minor lower-back pain. Thepresent invention comprises a plurality of inflatable cushions 1, aplurality of intermediate webs 7, a first end strap 2, a second endstrap 3, and a strap fastener 4. The plurality of inflatable cushions 1is used to support the wearer's back in a softening manner. Theplurality of intermediate webs 7 allows the present invention toproperly position the plurality of inflatable cushions 1 onto thewearer's back. The first end strap 2 and the second end strap 3 are usedto suspend the present invention around the wearer's waist, while thestrap fastener 4 is used to hold the first end strap 2 and the secondend strap 3 together. The preferred embodiments of the first end strap 2and the second end strap 3 are composed of elastic materials that enablethe inflatable portable lumbar pillow to adjustably fit wearers havingdifferent body types.

In reference to FIG. 2, the general configuration of the aforementionedcomponents allows the present invention to efficiently and effectivelyalleviate discomfort or pain in the wearer's back. Thus, the pluralityof inflatable cushions 1 needs to be serially connected to each other bythe plurality of intermediate webs 7 so that the plurality of inflatablecushions 1 is held in a manner that spans the entire width of thewearer's back. Moreover, the first end strap 2 is connected adjacent tothe plurality of inflatable cushions, and the second end strap 3 isconnected adjacent to the plurality of inflatable cushions, opposite tothe first end strap 2. This allows the first strap and the second strapto wrap around the wearer's waist to the front of the wearer's abdomen.In addition, the strap fastener 4 comprises a first interlocking portion41 and a second interlocking portion 42 that are used to selectivelyused to attach the first end strap 2 and the second end strap 3together. Consequently, the first interlocking portion 41 is connectedonto the first end strap 2, and the second interlocking portion 42 isconnected onto the second end strap 3 so that the first interlockingportion 41. The first interlocking portion 41 and the secondinterlocking portion 42 are positioned offset from the plurality ofinflatable cushions, which allows the strap fastener 4 to attach thefirst end strap 2 and the second end strap 3 at the front of thewearer's abdomen.

In reference to FIG. 3, the present invention allows the wearer toseparately fill each of the plurality of inflatable cushions. Thus, eachof the plurality of inflatable cushions 1 comprises an air valve 11 andan air bag 12. The air bag 12 is used to retain a quantity of air foreach of the plurality of inflatable cushions, while the air valve 11allows the wearer to selectively increase or decrease the quantity ofair. In order to readily increase or decrease the quantity of airretained by the air bag 12, the air valve 11 needs to be integrated intothe air bag 12 and in fluid communication with the air bag 12. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the wearer is able topump air into the air bag 12 by blowing into the air valve. Air is blownin through an opening in front of the air valve. A circular cap securedconcentrically around the opening traps the air once it has entered intothe air valve. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the plurality of inflatablecushions 1 can be deflated by simply disengaging the circular cap fromthe opening and letting the air escape. In order to inflate theplurality of inflatable cushions, the wearer simply blows into theopening and covers it with the circular cap once a sufficient amount ofair is inside the air bag 12. In alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, any one-way valve can be used as the air valve. In order tocreate an air tight enclosure inside the air bag 12, the plurality ofinflatable cushions 1 is fabricated with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), orsimilar airtight polymeric, organic, composite, and/or metallicmaterials.

In reference to FIG. 7, the inflatable portable lumbar pillow furthercomprises a removable sleeve 5. The plurality of inflatable cushions 1is mounted within the removable sleeve 5 to provide an outer surfacethat is comfortable to the touch. The removable sleeve 5 comprises afirst open end 51 and a second open end 52, a first elastic band, and asecond elastic band. The first elastic band 53 is integrated around thefirst open end 51 and the second elastic band 54 is integrated aroundthe second open end 52. The first elastic end and the second elasticband 54 secures the contents placed inside the removable sleeve 5. Thefirst elastic band 53 and the second elastic band 54 are flexible enoughto easily stretch when pulled apart but are generally resistant enoughto prevent contents from falling out of the removable sleeve 5.Similarly, selective fastening mechanisms such as snap locks, zippers,magnetic fasteners, and the like can be used in alternate embodiments.The removable sleeve 5 is preferably fashioned out of a heat insulative,fabric based material. A cold surface in contact with the wearer's lowerback can aggravate lower back pain. The heat insulative nature of theremovable sleeve 5 can absorb the wearer's body and ambient heat, tocreate a warm surface that mitigates the sensation of lower back pain.The removable sleeve 5 can also be fashioned out of a soft fabricmaterials such as cotton, silk, or like materials. This provides a softouter surface that is comfortable to touch and reduces irritation whenin contact with human skin. This allows the inflatable portable lumbarpillow to be worn under clothing or without clothing directly in contactwith the wearer's skin for prolonged periods of time without resultingin discomfort or irritation.

In reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the plurality of inflatable cushions,the plurality of intermediate webs 7, the first end strap 2, the secondend strap 3, and the strap fastener 4 can be arranged into a storageconfiguration. A carrying case 6 is provided to store the inflatableportable lumbar pillow in the storage configuration. The storageconfiguration requires each of the plurality of inflatable cushions 1 tobe configured into a deflated state. The plurality of inflatablecushions, the plurality of intermediate webs 7, the first end strap 2,and the second end strap 3 are then wound around each other. Thus, whenthe present invention is in the storage configuration, the plurality ofinflatable cushions, the plurality of intermediate webs 7, the first endstrap 2, the second end strap 3, and the strap fastener 4 are positionedinto the carrying case 6. The inflatable portable lumbar pillowcomprises a drawstring 61. The drawstring 61 is slidably mounted aroundan opening rim 62 of the carrying case 6. Pulling the drawstring 61constricts the opening rim 62 and closes the carrying case 6. As can beseen in FIG. 10, this is used to secure the inflatable portable lumbarpillow inside the carrying case 6. In order to use the presentinvention, the plurality of inflatable cushions, the plurality ofintermediate webs 7, the first end strap 2, the second end strap 3, andthe strap fastener 4 are arranged into an operative configuration. Inthe operative configuration, each of the plurality of inflatablecushions 1 configures into an inflated state and the first interlockingportion 41 engages to the second interlocking portion 42.

Also in reference to FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the strap fastener 4may employ a hook and loop fastener. In such an implementation, a hookportion and loop portion is divided between the first end strap 2 andthe second end strap 3. The hook portion can either be placed on thefirst end strap 2 or the second end strap 3 with the loop portion placedon the alternative end of the strap fastener 4. In order to engage thepresent invention around the waist of the wearer, the first end strap 2and the second end strap 3 are brought into a coincident position,allowing the hook portion to connect to the loop portion, and secure thefirst end strap 2 and second end strap 3 together.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the operative configuration allows the wearerto wrap the present invention around his or her waist. The plurality ofinflatable cushions 1 is oriented around the wearer's lower back and thestrap fastener 4 connects in front of the wearer's abdomen. The firstinterlocking portion 41 and the second interlocking portion 42 securethe strap fastener 4 and thus the inflatable portable lumbar pillowaround the wearer's waist. In order to secure the strap fastener 4, thefirst end strap 2 and the second end strap 3 each comprise an inner flatside 21 31 and an outer flat side 22 32. The first interlocking portion41 is mounted onto the inner flat side 21 of the first end strap 2. Thesecond interlocking portion 42 is mounted onto the outer flat side 32 ofthe second end strap 3. In an operative state, the first end strap 2 isplaced on top of the second end strap 3. This brings the inner flat side21 of the first end strap 2 in contact with the outer flat side 32 ofthe second end strap 3, and forms an operative connection between thefirst interlocking portion 41 and the second interlocking portion 42.

Also in reference to FIG. 6, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, the first interlocking portion 41 is mounted onto the outerflat side 22 of the first end strap 2 and the second interlockingportion 42 is mounted onto the inner flat side 31 of the second endstrap 3. In the operative state, the second end strap 3 is on top of thefirst end strap 2, which allows the inner flat side 31 of the second endstrap 3 to contact the outer flat side 22 of the first end strap. Thiscreates an operative connection between the first interlocking portion41 and the second interlocking portion 42. In an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention, the plurality of inflatable cushions 1 comprisesa left lumbar cushion 16, a central lumbar cushion 14, and a rightlumbar cushion 15. The left lumbar cushion 16 is positioned adjacent tothe central lumbar cushion 14. The right lumbar cushion 15 is positionedadjacent to the central lumbar cushion 14, opposite to the left lumbarcushion 16. The central lumbar cushion 14 may form a conformalengagement with the rear contours of wearer's lower back. The rightlumbar cushion 15 and the left lumbar cushion 16 may conform to the sidecontours of the lower back. In yet another embodiment of the presentinvention the plurality of inflatable cushions 1 can comprise any numberof inflatable cushions connected serially to one another.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable portable lumbar pillow comprises: aplurality of inflatable cushions; a plurality of intermediate webs; afirst end strap; a second end strap; a strap fastener; the strapfastener comprises a first interlocking portion and a secondinterlocking portion; the plurality of inflatable cushions beingserially connected to each other by the plurality of intermediate webs;the first end strap being connected adjacent to the plurality ofinflatable cushions; the second end strap being connected adjacent tothe plurality of inflatable cushions, opposite the first end strap; thefirst interlocking portion being connected onto the first end strap,offset from the plurality of inflatable cushions; and the secondinterlocking portion being connected onto the second end strap, offsetfrom the plurality of inflatable cushions.
 2. The inflatable portablelumbar pillow as claimed in claim 1 comprises: each of the plurality ofinflatable cushions comprises an air valve and an air bag; the air valvebeing integrated into the air bag; and the air valve being in fluidcommunication with the air bag.
 3. The inflatable portable lumbar pillowas claimed in claim 1 comprises: a removable sleeve; and the pluralityof inflatable cushions being mounted within the removable sleeve.
 4. Theinflatable portable lumbar pillow as claimed in claim 3 comprises: theremovable sleeve comprises a first open end and a second open end, afirst elastic band, and a second elastic band; the first elastic bandbeing integrated around the first open end; and the second elastic bandbeing integrated around the second open end.
 5. The inflatable portablelumbar pillow as claimed in claim 3, wherein the removable sleeve ismade of a heat-insulative material.
 6. The inflatable portable lumbarpillow as claimed in claim 3, wherein the removable sleeve is made of atactily-soft material.
 7. The inflatable portable lumbar pillow asclaimed in claim 1 comprises: wherein the plurality of inflatablecushions, the plurality of intermediate webs, the first end strap, thesecond end strap, and the strap fastener are in a storage configuration;a carrying case; each of the plurality of inflatable cushions beingconfigured into a deflated state; the plurality of inflatable cushions,the plurality of intermediate webs, the first end strap, and the secondend strap being wound around each other; and the plurality of inflatablecushions, the plurality of intermediate webs, the first end strap, thesecond end strap, and the strap fastener being positioned into thecarrying case.
 8. The inflatable portable lumbar pillow as claimed inclaim 7 comprises: a drawstring; and the drawstring being slidablymounted around an opening rim of the carrying case.
 9. The inflatableportable lumbar pillow as claimed in claim 1 comprises: wherein theplurality of inflatable cushions, the plurality of intermediate webs,the first end strap, the second end strap, and the strap fastener are inan operative configuration; each of the plurality of inflatable cushionsbeing configured into an inflated state; and the first interlockingportion being engaged to the second interlocking portion.
 10. Theinflatable portable lumbar pillow as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst end strap and the second end strap are elastic.
 11. The inflatableportable lumbar pillow as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap fasteneris a hook-and-loop fastener.
 12. The inflatable portable lumbar pillowas claimed in claim 11 comprises: the first end strap and the second endstrap each comprise an inner flat side and an outer flat side; the firstinterlocking portion being mounted onto the inner flat side of the firstend strap; and the second interlocking portion being mounted onto theouter flat side of the second end strap.
 13. The inflatable portablelumbar pillow as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the first end strap andthe second end strap each comprise an inner flat side and an outer flatside; the first interlocking portion being mounted onto the outer flatside of the first end strap; and the second interlocking portion beingmounted onto the inner flat side of the second end strap.
 14. Theinflatable portable lumbar pillow as claimed in claim 1 comprises: theplurality of inflatable cushions comprises a left lumbar cushion, acentral lumbar cushion, and a right lumbar cushion; the left lumbarcushion being positioned adjacent to the central lumbar cushion; and theright lumbar cushion being positioned adjacent to the central lumbarcushion, opposite to the left lumbar cushion.